Vernacular

It is one of the oldest and longest running issues in the church. How shall we worship? For those earliest Jewish followers of Jesus, it must have come as some surprise that Gentile believers didn’t worship the way they did. The Apostles decided at the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15) what things were and were not essential. Much later, we see the battle shift focus from cultural laws to spoken language. In what language shall we worship? Again history repeats itself and it was decided that each people group could worship in their own language. Even the churches that historically resisted have now come to the same conclusion. Today the battle has shifted from language vernacular back to cultural vernacular and we are faced with the question, "How shall we worship?"

We could easily fall into the mindset that pervades history, and declare that worship should look for everyone like it looks for us. But that mindset is not a biblical one. Scripture dictates the content of our worship, we are to "Worship the LORD [our] God and serve Him only," but the style of worship is not mentioned. This is one of the things that sets Christianity apart from other world religions.

We at Faith are already skilled in two distinct styles of worship, because we understand that for some the depth of our tradition helps them connect with God. Through the classic hymns and liturgies they catch a glimpse of the majesty and mystery of God. For some the modern style reminds them that the God who never changes, also makes all things new. They resonate with Charles Wesley’s words that God has shown himself our friend. And yet, if we think about it, we know that there are more than two aspects of the worship of God. We know that these two represented cultures do not encompass the whole Christian experience. And while we know we cannot please everyone, or provide a worship service for every culture, we also know that we are called to make disciples…one person at a time; and we can make a significant impact if we use our gifts!

For these reasons, we at Faith are embarking on a new path. This will not change our existing worship services, but rather will add to them. Starting Sunday, March 8th, we will add "Vespers," a fourth weekend worship service on Sunday Evenings. The Vespers service will include the classic forms of worship – Word and Table – expressed in a different way. Each week we will gather to worship through modern music of various genres, including hymns with modern melodies; through the word of God brought in sermon, and through communion.

We believe that God has called us to make disciples, and are confident that this step is one that God has placed before us. Our task, and homework for this week, is to see the fields are white for harvest, and to pray that the LORD of the harvest will send workers! Spend time this week praying Vespers, for those whom God desires to attend, for those whom God will bring across your path to invite, and to inquire if God would have you assist in any way with that service; whether through your prayers, presence, gifts, service, or witness.

Popular posts from this blog

The Power of a Memory

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, " This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. " In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, " This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me ." —1 Corinthians 11:23-25 Has it ever happened to you? You walk into a room and suddenly the sight, smell, or feel of that room transports you thousands of miles to your grandmother’s house? In an instant you are 10 again. It is so real that you could almost walk to the kitchen and grab a cookie. What you have just experienced is the power of a memory. Our brains catalog, not just the sequence of events, but the sounds, sights, smells, tastes and touches of those events and places as well. And every time we come into contact with those senses again, our brain, quick as lightni
Read more

Commission

"Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you." —1 Thessalonians 3:1 Each year, we at Faith participate in commissioning several mission teams. We declare that those who go out from us in mission are “Ambassadors” not only of God’s Kingdom, but also of the Faith family. When I tell friends and colleagues at other churches about our missions involvement, they are consistently astonished, both at the number of trips we take, and the number of participants on those trips. After participating in so many commissionings, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect this past Sunday as you commissioned the Guatemala trip. I have been looking forward to this trip for many months; but as you commissioned us, the trip became real. I felt a deep joy swell over me, both that I had the opportunity to go, and that the church, my church, was praying for me and sending me out. I don’t know that I will
Read more

Finding Freedom: Part III - When Is Enough, Enough?

" Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.' " —Matthew 18:21-22 We've spent the last two weeks talking about Forgiveness. We established that forgiveness is a choice, for we know that God is not a tyrant commanding the impossible; and we defined Forgiveness as "releasing my right to be angry and/or bitter toward a person for the wrong they committed and releasing the outcome to God." We have addressed what forgiveness looks like in response to an offence, but what happens when the wound in question is not as a result of an event, but rather of a behavior. What happens when you can’t even count the number of times you have been wronged? The Rabbinical teaching of the day stated that forgiving someone three times was sufficient. Peter knew of Jesus tendency to require more than the other Ra
Read more